BWCA Mid-June trip advice (EP 39?) Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Chuckles
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01/27/2020 11:26AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
We've only tripped in late September/early October and have had mediocre luck fishing. We are hoping for a warmer, lighter, and better fishing trip June 22-25. I tend to enjoy smaller lakes and rivers better. It will likely just be two of us and we're considering EP 39 and a trip up the Temperance River. Likely basecamp on South Temperance which would give us day-trip access to North Temperance, Jack Lake, Temperance River and western Brule. Hopefully this will give us access to more moving water that seems to raise chance of success for fishing

We aren't too concerned about what species, but I'd guess Walleye and SMB are top targets.

I know it is weather based, but should we expect to be pulling over dozens of beaver dams?

Any insights would be appreciated.
 
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01/27/2020 04:03PM  
I was in that area about the same time of year in 2018. You can pick up fish anywhere there is flowing water. Smallies and walleye were caught more often than northern in a lot of cases. Don't really have any specific spots to offer.

Hoping to be in that area again some time this year. Watch for Moose on Jack.
Chuckles
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01/27/2020 04:40PM  
Thanks. Moose sightings would be special!
01/27/2020 04:40PM  
Decent walleye fishing all up thru from Baker to S. Temp. Both Temperance lakes can be good to very good fishing at times and easy portage into western Brule. Not much for beaver dams on the way up thru, just some short little rocky portages with tough landings. Hit all the pools below the rapids. S. Temp is a beautiful lake.
Chuckles
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01/27/2020 05:27PM  
Awesome, thanks.

Do you have a recommendation on what to hit those pools with? We've dragged in way too much fishing gear on past trips and are bouncing between staying light or being light on everything else so we can load up on tackle.
TuscaroraBorealis
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01/27/2020 07:00PM  
It's a bit dated but, (if you haven't seen it already?) this trip lays out your route. It should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
01/27/2020 08:32PM  
Chuckles: "
Do you have a recommendation on what to hit those pools with? We've dragged in way too much fishing gear on past trips and are bouncing between staying light or being light on everything else so we can load up on tackle. "


Have you heard of the zulu rig? Works in the moving water that is entering into a lake.




Other than that I would bring leeches and jigs and twister tails.

I entered Baker Lake last September. I only made it as far as Jack. We caught a stringer of small mouth where Jack enters Kelly using leeches under a slip bobber and the zulu rig.

We didn't run into any beaver dams. There were plenty of lilly pads on Kelly though.
Chuckles
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01/27/2020 09:51PM  
TuscaroraBorealis: "It's a bit dated but, (if you haven't seen it already?) this trip lays out your route. It should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. "


Great trip summary. Thanks!
Chuckles
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01/27/2020 09:52PM  
rdgbwca: "
Chuckles: "
Do you have a recommendation on what to hit those pools with? We've dragged in way too much fishing gear on past trips and are bouncing between staying light or being light on everything else so we can load up on tackle. "



Have you heard of the zulu rig? Works in the moving water that is entering into a lake.






Other than that I would bring leeches and jigs and twister tails.


I entered Baker Lake last September. I only made it as far as Jack. We caught a stringer of small mouth where Jack enters Kelly using leeches under a slip bobber and the zulu rig.


We didn't run into any beaver dams. There were plenty of lilly pads on Kelly though."


Thanks! I know of the zulu rig, but haven't fished it. I've got copies of QM's articles and will be going over them in detail before this trip. I love the zulu set-up because it is relatively small and I can prehook a bunch of them. I seem to spend so much time swapping things out that the line isn't in the water enough.
halvorsonchristopher
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01/28/2020 08:24AM  
cowdoc: S. Temp is a beautiful lake. "
Fantastic camp site. Top 100 for sure.
halvorsonchristopher
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01/28/2020 08:25AM  
The area treated us well when we did choose to fish.
Jigs, leeches, zulu, ALL DAY.
June will make your fishing efforts a bit easier... and the bugs a LOT worse!

But frankly.... when fishing Walleye & SMB in the BW, there is no other way for me. Multiple Moose sightings through W.Brule / S.Temperance.

Advice. Brule can be scary. Respect it.
Chuckles
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01/28/2020 10:19AM  
halvorsonchristopher: "The area treated us well when we did choose to fish.
Jigs, leeches, zulu, ALL DAY.
June will make your fishing efforts a bit easier... and the bugs a LOT worse!

But frankly.... when fishing Walleye & SMB in the BW, there is no other way for me. Multiple Moose sightings through W.Brule / S.Temperance.


Advice. Brule can be scary. Respect it.
"


Hopefully the fishing is worth the bugs. I've honestly never taken any bug precautions on a BW trip; this will be new for me.

We'll be careful on Brule. That is actually one of the reasons we're keeping our options for small water open.
landoftheskytintedwater
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01/28/2020 11:56AM  
I was thru there once in late May and then last fall. I think I had to carry over a beaver dam just north of the portage from Weird Lake back into the river on both trips. Don't totally remember in late May but I think we did encounter it then to. That was the only one both trips. All the portages are easy. Can't speak to fishing. North end of Kelly to the portage into Jack is prime moose country. Saw a bull, cow and calf last September.
01/28/2020 01:57PM  
Chuckles: "Thanks. Moose sightings would be special! "


We saw a moose and her calf on Weird a couple years ago in early June. Lots of activity in that area. Keep your eye out for "muddy" spots on the dry portage...it might not be mud.
Chuckles
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01/28/2020 02:11PM  
landoftheskytintedwater: "I was thru there once in late May and then last fall. I think I had to carry over a beaver dam just north of the portage from Weird Lake back into the river on both trips. Don't totally remember in late May but I think we did encounter it then to. That was the only one both trips. All the portages are easy. Can't speak to fishing. North end of Kelly to the portage into Jack is prime moose country. Saw a bull, cow and calf last September."


Thanks. A beaver dam or two isn't a problem, we just don't want to be stopping every 100 yards for miles.
01/28/2020 06:30PM  
I have been on that route a few times, great entry and area. Fishing is good, as mentioned, and chances for fish almost along the whole route. South Temperance is achievable in one long day but if you want to break it up there is a nice campsite on a peninsula on Jack Lake where I caught walleyes from shore. Or the site at the very north end of Kelly which has a creek coming in to the east and the Temperance River coming in just to the west of the site. Good fishing and scenic.

On the north end of the Kelly to Jack portage there is a short trail to an old abandoned gold mine which is kind of cool. Lots of artifacts lying around. You can walk back a little ways until the shaft goes underground and is filled with water.
We did not experience any beaver dams at all, but our last trip was several years ago, it is possible something has changed. Would not expect many though, if at all.

South Temperance is gorgeous and there are several nice sites to choose from. We stayed at the site in the NW corner of the lake which is by far the most secluded.

There is a rustic 4 site campground at the Baker Lake entry which is great for staying the night before the trip if you can get a site. 30 second drive to the entry the next morning:)

Here is our trip report if you are interested:

Baker entry
Chuckles
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01/28/2020 08:20PM  
lindylair: "I have been on that route a few times, great entry and area. Fishing is good, as mentioned, and chances for fish almost along the whole route. South Temperance is achievable in one long day but if you want to break it up there is a nice campsite on a peninsula on Jack Lake where I caught walleyes from shore. Or the site at the very north end of Kelly which has a creek coming in to the east and the Temperance River coming in just to the west of the site. Good fishing and scenic.


On the north end of the Kelly to Jack portage there is a short trail to an old abandoned gold mine which is kind of cool. Lots of artifacts lying around. You can walk back a little ways until the shaft goes underground and is filled with water.
We did not experience any beaver dams at all, but our last trip was several years ago, it is possible something has changed. Would not expect many though, if at all.


South Temperance is gorgeous and there are several nice sites to choose from. We stayed at the site in the NW corner of the lake which is by far the most secluded.


There is a rustic 4 site campground at the Baker Lake entry which is great for staying the night before the trip if you can get a site. 30 second drive to the entry the next morning:)


Here is our trip report if you are interested:


Baker entry "


Awesome info. Sounds like this area is a winner. We might fish our way up and not make it all the way to S Temperance on the first day. I like the idea of not knowing where we'll land. We'll likely basecamp, but might pick up and move too.

We'll definitely check out the mine. Thanks!
 
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